Many people often bite their cheek or tongue while eating and are left with painful sores. This article explains the causes, what to do and the signs that call for a dental exam.
- Biting the cheek or tongue is often caused by a sharp tooth, a rough filling, crooked teeth or a denture that does not fit.
- A mild bite wound usually heals within days if you eat soft food, rinse gently and do not poke the sore.
- Biting the same spot again and again shows a local cause that the dentist should fix.
- A sore that does not heal after 2 weeks, or that feels hard and thick, should be checked early.
Biting the cheek or the tongue while eating is something many people have experienced. If it happens only now and then, it is nothing to worry about, but when it keeps happening in the same spot and the bite turns into a painful, burning sore, it is worth finding the reason.
Why do I keep biting my cheek and tongue?
- A sharp tooth: a chipped or broken tooth, a rough filling or a rough tooth surface easily catches the cheek and the tongue.
- A wisdom tooth growing at an angle or crooked teeth that do not meet properly.
- A missing tooth for a long time, which lets the neighboring teeth tilt and changes the bite.
- A denture that does not fit or has become loose.
- Eating in a hurry, talking while eating, or a habit of chewing the cheek or lip when stressed.
- Grinding the teeth at night and tense jaw muscles, which can throw the bite off.
How to ease the pain after a bite
- Rinse gently with diluted warm salt water after each meal.
- Eat soft, cool food and avoid spicy, sour or hard food.
- Do not poke the sore with your tongue or fingers.
- Brush gently and keep the bristles away from the sore.
A bite wound usually heals within a few days. If it feels like a canker sore, see our article on how long mouth ulcers take to heal.
When should you see a dentist?
Please come in for an exam if:
- You bite the same spot several times a month.
- A sore does not heal after 2 weeks, or feels hard and thickened.
- A sharp tooth, rough filling or denture is hurting you.
- You have jaw pain, a clicking sound when chewing or grind your teeth at night.
The dentist will check your bite, smooth sharp teeth, or adjust a filling or denture if needed. You can also read about chewing on one side only and grinding teeth during sleep.
You can call the hotline 028.3868.1097 or visit us in person during working hours at 266A - 268, 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a cheek bite take to heal?
A mild bite usually heals in a few days to a week if kept clean and not bitten again. If it has not healed after 2 weeks, please see a dentist.
Why do I keep biting the same spot inside my cheek?
Usually a sharp tooth, a rough filling or an uneven bite is at that spot. Having the dentist check and fix that exact spot helps stop the biting.
Can frequent cheek biting lead to a serious disease?
In most cases it is harmless. But a sore that lasts longer than 2 weeks, or feels hard and thick, should be checked early by a dentist.